A classicAmerican circuit with a British-style output section.
Scottsdale, AZ (May 1, 2015) -- The MOD102+ expands on the same all-analog vacuum tube classic American circuit design combined with a British style Class A output section as the Original MOD102 with some much added special ā+ā features. These special features include a three position progressive toggle switch for off-standby-power and additional push-pull functionality for each control - pull out the bass control knob for āmid boostā, pull out the treble control knob for ābrightā, pull out the volume control knob for āturboā. These new features and a JJ ECC803-S (a long plate 12AX7 known for its complex mid range tones) allow for a wider variety of tones and extra control for the user.
MOD Kits and Assemblies are designed to give novice and experienced musicians the opportunity to build or modify their own amps, effects pedals and guitars. All kits come with easy-to-follow instructions and use point-to-point wiring. All effect pedals and amplifiers come with a pre-drilled enclosure and all necessary parts are included. All you need to provide are hand tools, a soldering iron and solder. The effect pedal operates on a 9V battery; for a longer lasting option, a 9-volt adapter can be purchased separately.
For more information:
MOD Kits DIY
Ernie Ball announces new Earthwood Bell Bronze strings developed with John Mayer, Tim Henson signature strings, plus, the Stingray II and Stingray II deluxe, developed with Cory Wong.
Developed in collaboration with John Mayer, Earthwood Bell Bronze acoustic guitar strings are the first to offer this new patent-pending alloy, which was inspired by blends used for bells and cymbals. In addition, Ernie Ball introduces the Tim Henson Signature Collection of strings and the Pino Palladino Smoothie Flats Signature bass strings.
Earthwood Bell Bronze
Developed in collaboration with John Mayer, Ernie Ball Earthwood Bell Bronze acoustic guitar strings have been carefully crafted to meet John's exacting standards, providing a new voice for your acoustic guitar. Inspired by alloys used traditionally for bells and cymbals, ErnieBall's patent-pending Bell Bronze alloy offers a richer, fuller sound than any other string in our catalog. These strings will breathe new life into your guitar.
āEarthwood Bell Bronze strings are a giant leap forward in tone, playability, anddurability. Theyāre great in any musical setting but really shine when played solo.Thereās an orchestral quality to them.ā
- John Mayer
- Developed in collaboration with John Mayer
- Big, bold sound
- Inspired by alloys used for bells and cymbals
- Increased resonance with improved projection & sustain
- Patent-pending alloy unique to Ernie Ball strings
- Available in 4 gauge combinations:
- Extra Light (10-50)
- Light (11-52)
- Medium Light (12-54)
- Medium (13-56)
Acoustic Earthwood Bell Bronze Demo on a Gibson L-00 - YouTube
Tim Henson Collection
Ernie Ball introduces the Tim Henson Signature String and Accessory Collection ,developed in collaboration with one of todayās most innovative players. Designed to meet Timās unique specifications and versatile performance style, these new classical strings pair fluorocarbon trebles with silver-plated copper basses for a dynamic, brighter response with a percussive tonality. The electric strings comprise Cobalt and Paradigm technologies for maximum output and clarity with unmatched durability.
Classical Strings
- Dynamic, percussive sound
- Silver-plated copper basses
- Fluorocarbon treble strings
- Gauges: 24, 27, 33, 30, 36, 42
Electric Strings
- Engineered for maximum output & clarity
- Nano-treated for maximum life and corrosion resistance
- Paradigm core wire for added strength
- Gauges: 9.5, 12, 16, 26, 36, 46
The Ernie Ball Tim Henson Signature Collection will be available this spring. The SignatureElectric strings, Classical strings, and Fretwrap will all be available to purchase separately. TheSignature Cable will be available to purchase as part of a box set bundle. This Tim HensonSignature Bundle will include all of the products in the collection.
Ernie Ball ntroduces Pino Palladino Smoothie Flats Bass Strings, designed for effortless playability and exceptional tone. Precision-polished for an ultra-smooth feel, these premium flatwound strings glide easily under your fingers. Crafted with a cobalt alloy ribbon, they deliver a deep, rich tone that perfectly balances vintage warmth with modern flexibility.Developed with legendary bassist Pino Palladino, Smoothie Flats offer unparalleled performance and a silky-smooth playing experience.
Key Features:
- Premium flatwound strings developed with Pino Palladino
- Precision polished for an ultra-smooth feel
- Wound with cobalt alloy ribbon for a rich, deep sound
- Smooth, vintage tone and flexible, low-tension feel
- Available in 2 gauge combinations:
- Extra Light (38, 54, 68, 98)
- Medium (43, 61,76, 108)
The Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay II and StingRay II Deluxe were designed in collaboration with Cory Wong to deliver unmatched clarity, versatility, and precision for every performance.Both models feature a roasted figured maple neck, 22 stainless steel frets, ultra-clean CoWong HT humbuckers, and an ergonomic body design for smooth playability and effortless fret access.
The Deluxe model adds a roasted maple fretboard, parchment binding, and a matching headstock for a refined touch. Inspired by the iconic StingRay Bass, both guitars showcasleek styling with a redesigned larger headstock, a custom Cory Wong neck plate, and gold hardware for a sophisticated finish.
Features
- Ultra-clean Cory Wong HT humbucking bridge & neck pickups
- Ergonomic body design inspired by the StingRay Bass
- Select alder body with roasted figured maple neck
- Gold hardware with Cory Wong neck plate
- 2 finish options including Charcoal Blue & Cashmere
- Mono CaseStingRay II Deluxe Features
- Ultra-clean Cory Wong HT humbucking bridge & neck pickups
- Ergonomic body design inspired by the StingRay Bass
- Select alder body with roasted figured maple neck
- Gold hardware with Cory Wong neck plate
- Parchment binding and matching headstock
- 2 finish options including Pine Green & Polaris White
- Mono Case
Both StingRay II finishes along with the StingRay II Deluxe in Pine Green are available authorized Ernie Ball Music Man dealers. The StingRay II Deluxe in Polaris White is limited to 30pieces and available exclusively from The Vault at www.music-man.com. All models are available for purchase starting today.
Takamine Guitars unveils their annual Limited Edition acoustic-electric guitar, the LTD2025.
Takamine Guitars (NAMM Booth 210D) has unveiled their annual special Limited Edition acoustic-electric guitar. Available in very limited quantities and created for serious musicians and instrument collectors alike, this yearās model is the LTD2025.
āThe LTD2025 is a guitar with looks that match its superb sound,ā says Tom Watters, Director Product Development for Takamine Guitars. āEach of these guitars are built one at a time, completely by hand, by Takamineās renowned luthiers. Weāre sure that this distinctive instrument will be coveted like our previous LTD models have been.ā
Painstakingly handcrafted in extremely limited quantities by Takamineās respected luthiers in Japan, the Takamine LTD2025 is an OM Cutaway guitar that features a top thatās crafted from solid Engelmann spruce, and a body made of exquisite Hawaiian koa, offering a rich and dynamic tonal quality. Its Antique Evergreen gloss finish not only highlights the guitar's aesthetic appeal, but also gives it a timeless and distinguished look.The LTD2025ās body boasts stunning tortoise binding along with abalone purfling, adding a touch of sophistication to its classic design. Its mahogany neck offers an ebony fingerboard thatās adorned with brass position markers, designed to age beautifully over time, enhancing its vintage charm.
The LTD2025 offers electronics that are equally impressive, featuring Takamine's renowned Palathetic pickup system and the retro-inspired CTF-2N FET preamp, providing both excellent sonic fidelity and a natural, warm tone.
For more information, please visit esptakamine.com.
Silvertone Guitars introduces the new Silvertone Lipstick pickup and 1373 Baritone guitar.
Silvertone Guitars is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with Rio Grande Pickups to introduce a new Silvertone Lipstick pickup. This partnership combines Silvertoneās iconic legacy with Rio Grandeās expert craftsmanship to create a pickup that delivers a bold, traditional single-coil tone while retaining the classic Lipstick look.
The original Lipstick pickup, invented by Nathan Daniels, is celebrated for its distinctive sound with a bright, trebly top end and scooped midrange, offering a unique sonic character that stands out both in recordings and live performances. While the classic Silvertone Lipstick pickups are known for capturing this vintage tone, the new Silvertone/Rio Grande Lipstick pickups provide an exciting twist for players seeking a higher-output, traditional single-coil sound.
Designed and handmade in Houston, Texas, the new Silvertone Lipstick pickup features an Alnico 5bar magnet, plain enamel 44AWG pure copper wire, and a shielded 2-wire connection for versatile wiring options. This pickup strikes a perfect balance between a '60s StratĀ®-style sound and the powerful punch of a P90, offering a beefy midrange and enhanced output for dynamic lead playing and driving effects pedals.
āWeāre thrilled to be working with Rio Grande Pickups on this new Lipstick design,ā says Rick Taylor, Guitar Product Manager at Silvertone Guitars. āThis collaboration has allowed us to expand the tonal palette of our Lipstick pickups while preserving the visual appeal that players love. The new pickups deliver rich, powerful sound that will inspire musicians to explore new creative possibilities.ā
These new pickups are the perfect way to supercharge your guitar, combining the distinctive look of the Lipstick design with the versatile, high-output tone that modern players demand.
Pricing is $279 for the calibrated set, and $159 for the neck or bridge alone.
Silvertone Guitars proudly introduces the 1373 Baritone, a contemporary reimagining of the iconic 1958 6-string bass.
In 1958, Silvertone made waves with the revolutionary 1373 model, a 6-string bass tuned low E to E, paving the way for the distinctive tic-tac technique in Nashville. This technique involved doubling acoustic bass lines with the six-string bass played with a pick. This unique tuning was also famously featured in Glen Campbell's iconic six-string bass solo on the hit single "Wichita Lineman."
With the 1373 Baritone, Silvertone pays homage to this rich history by transforming the instrument into a baritone tuning marvel. The 28ā scale neck is meticulously designed for B to B tuning, echoing the popular baritone tuning that left an indelible mark on 1960s surf rock and spaghetti western soundtracks.
Crafted with a solid mahogany body, the 1373 Baritone delivers unparalleled punch and sustain. The string-through body bridge enhances resonance, and the 28ā scale strikes the perfect balance, allowing the lower strings to resonate authentically without sacrificing the comfort of standard tuning guitars.
Equipped with the new Alnico 5 Silvertone Lipstick pickups, the 1373 Baritone retains the clean tones and bell-like top end of the original pickups, with a bit more output. This additional output provides the flexibility to comfortably drive pedals, tube amps, or digital modelers, making the 1373 Baritone a versatile instrument across various musical genres.
The 1373 Baritone carries a $449 street price and is available in three striking colors: Black SilverFlake, Pelham Blue, and Silver Metal Flake.
For more information, please visit silvertoneguitars.com.
Orange Amplification announces the arrival of its new Babies: the newly analogue designed Dual Baby, Tour Baby and Gain Baby guitar amps, plus the O Tone combo.
The Babies
Each lightweight, studio grade 100W, twin channel, Class A/B, solid state amp weighs only 3kg and is compact, reliable and tour ready. Watch the launch video here.
The 2-channel, Tour Baby guitar amp is incredibly versatile in a variety of playing situations. The onboard studio grade VCA compressor of Tour Babyās refined clean channel, offers pristine clean tones with active or passive pickups. It provides a consistent dynamic range and low noise in extreme settings without the need for separate pedals. It includes precise bass and treble EQ controls.
The naturally voiced dirty channel of this tone machine allows players to easily get that sought after āpoint of breakupā sound . A custom voiced presence control and powerful 3-band EQ control means the Tour Babyās tone can be shaped to cut-through the mix. Add to that a footswitchable volume control, that provides a stage-friendly volume boost option for live applications. Watch the Tour Baby video here.
The Gain Baby clean channel is the same as that of the Tour Baby with its integrated VCA Compressor to alleviate the need for an additional stomp box and incorporates bass and treble EQ controls to dial in a desired frequency. The compressor provides smooth, transparent compression for dynamic control without compromising tone.
Four distinct stages are available on the high gain channel allowing players to dial in their preferred level of crunch and saturation. Like the Dual Baby, Gain Babyās Tight Switch operates as a bright switch, boosting the upper mid at lower gain levels, to give shredding solos a little something extra. Volume control is footswitchable, the buffered FX allows effects from pedals to be patched in and the onboard 3-band EQ allows tone to be tweaked even further.
With multiple output options such as a balanced XLR output with no Cab Sim, as well as dual speaker outputs, the Gain Baby is equally comfortable on stage or in the studio. Watch the Gain Baby video here.
The Dual Baby is a powerhouse in a pint-sized package. Itās simple A and B channel design offers duelling tones and alternating rhythm opportunities. Channel A mimics the rich responsive tones of the Orange flagship Rockerverb amps in a reliable solid-state design. From clean to classic crunch to full-on saturation, there is no shortage of Orange mojo. The brand-new Tubby Switch, which boosts the bottom end early in the signal path, offers a much ārounderā tone when playing clean or when searching for just the right ādirty-cleanā sound.
Channel B allows players to dial in the desired level of grit, with ample saturation and a valve-like high-gain tone, unheard of in any other solid-state unit. The ābright boostā of the Tight Switch gives the amp spring and bounce and raises the top end at lower gain levels for players who want to tighten up, shred and play blistering solos with plenty of cut. The 3-band sweepable EQ presence control allows frequencies to be tweaked, shimmer added and mids that sit perfectly in the mix to be dialled in. Watch the Dual Baby video here.
Pack or rack any of the three Baby amps with included gig bag or an available rack ear kit. Each Baby is a mighty unit that delivers100-Watts into 8 ohms or 70-Watts into 16 ohms, to power any full-sized guitar amp with ease!
Check out the triplets, Dual Baby, Tour Baby and Gain Baby and all the other Orange products at
https://orangeamps.com/
The O Tone 40 Combo Amp
Watch the launch video here.
The single channel, 40-Watt Class A/B solid state combo has onboard tremolo and reverb controls, a buffered effects loop and plenty of punchy volume. With a distinctive clean tone, it is an ideal amp for any pedal set-up or a small venue workhorse for guitarists who are fond of warm, vintage tones.
The ampās bias-wobbled, single-ended JFET tremolo circuit offers huge depth and breadth, delivering everything from grand sweeps to a staccato sonic character via insistent, whirling helicopter patterns. The effect is footswitchable, allowing for even more adaptability during performances.
Modelling a classic spring reverb, the O Tone 40 incorporates a digital reverb module to add a warm spaciousness to sounds, ranging from subtle shimmer to ethereal trails.
The comboās fully buffered, low-impedance FX Loop allows for any number of effects and cables to be patched between the ampās input and output sections without sacrificing tone, making it an excellent pedal platform.
The powerful volume of the 12ā Voice of the World speaker, combined with the amazingly sweet tones and harmonic chimes of the new O Tone 40, makes it ideal for rock, country, blues and so many more music genres. A direct output is included to facilitate studio and live non-miked situations.
The amp is finished in trademark Orange Tolex with Orangeās signature basket- weave grill and Crest badge. Check out the O Tone 40 and all the other Orange products at https://orangeamps.com/